Past and present physical activity are independently associated to physical function in elderly women

Sammanfattning: INTRODUCTION: Physical function is an important predictor for health and all-cause mortality. Physical function is also known to decline as part of the aging process and may eventually lead to loss of independency. Both present and past physical activity (PA) habits as well as sedentary behavior are associated to physical function in elderly. It has however not been examined whether present and past PA may be associated to physical function independent of the other. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 122 healthy community-dwelling older women (aged 65-70 years) were recruited for participation. Assessment of PA was performed by both accelerometry and self-report, body composition by bioelectrical impedance analysis, and physical function by strength and aerobic capacity testing. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to investigate differences in physical function across tertiles of past and present PA habits adjusted by level of adiposity. RESULTS: Subjects in the highest PA tertile had higher aerobic capacity and higher combined aerobic capacity and leg strength compared to those in the lowest PA tertile, independent of adiposity and past PA habits (p < 0.05). Same results were evident for time spent in moderate- to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Furthermore, subjects belonging to the highest tertile of past sports and recreational exercise throughout adulthood had higher aerobic capacity, independent of present PA level and adiposity, compared to those belonging to the lowest tertile (p < 0.05). Additionally, physical function did not differ across tertiles of time spent in light physical activity (LPA) and time spent in sedentary behavior (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both objectively assessed present and self-reported past PA habits are independently associated to physical function in older women, regardless of adiposity. Being physically active in adulthood may be beneficial for sustaining physical function in older years, regardless of present activity level.